45 Long Colt Ammunition

The .45 Colt is quite possibly the most iconic cartridge in the United States. It was originally developed as a black powder cartridge in 1872. It was a collaboration between Colt’s Firearms and Union Metallic Cartridge Company. Soon after its introduction, the Colt Single Action Army revolver, also known as “The Peacemaker” chambered for the .45 Colt, was accepted by the US Army in 1873. This cartridge served in the military as the primary issued sidearm ammunition.

Currently out of military use, the .45 Colt retains popularity among hunters and sport shooters. It is used in handgun hunting of larger North American game such as deer and black bear. There are also several lever action rifles which are chambered for the .45 Colt for the hunter who prefers to use a long gun for hunting. Sport shooters also continue to use the .45 Colt, it is especially popular among Cowboy Action Shooters who strive to adhere to the historical aspect of their sport.

The .45 Colt is no slouch in the ballistics department. With bullet weights commonly available in the 200 to 300 grain range, there is a good variety for hunting or sporting use. The muzzle velocities range from 750 feet per second to over 1300 feet per second, this equates to some loadings exceeding 1100 foot pounds of energy! This puts the .45 Colt on a par with the .44 Magnum.

The one real shot of adrenaline for the .45 Colt cartridge in the past few years was the introduction of the Taurus Judge series of revolvers. The novelty of a .410 bore shotgun was quickly lost in the new defensive loads for the shotgun. But interestingly enough, ammunition manufacturers picked up on the versatility of the Judge and began offering self defense ammunition in .45 Colt. Not only has it expanded the applications of the pistol, but it has brought attention back to the .45 Colt as a very legitimate self defense cartridge.